high-end products i can't live without.

photo by: Bryan Castillo
Feels like it's been so long since I've posted anything beauty! Too long. I've gotten a couple requests to talk about high-end products so I thought I might give it a go. If you've read some of my previous posts, you should know by now that I love the prices of drugstore beauty products but there are certain high-end products that I just can't live without. Below are a few of my must-haves.


I know, I know. I've already talked about this product too many times but I just love it. I have tried many drugstore powders but sadly (and not surprisingly), almost every one has broken me out. The only drugstore-priced powders that I like and do not break me out are the e.l.f. High Definition Powder and PALLADIO Oil Absorbing Rice Powder, but neither give me the lasting power I need for my oily skin. A few of my absolute high-end favorites include URBAN DECAY COSMETICS De-Slick Mattifying Powder, LAURA GELLER Matte Maker and a new favorite, TARTE Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Airbrush Foundation (will talk more about this one in my February favorites post).



I have VERY dark under eye circles and no drugstore powder can give me the coverage I need to set my concealer and brighten like this product does. It has a slight shimmer in it but thankfully not straight-up glitter chunks (GAG). It's such a beautiful setting powder that really lifts and highlights in a gorgeous way. Although pricey, a little goes a long way and it's definitely a necessary item in my makeup collection.

SensatioNail Nail Starter Kit

This may not necessarily be considered "high-end" but it's a bit spendy so I'm lumping it into that category. LOVE this kit. So much. My Mom purchased it for me as an engagement present a couple of years ago because she knew I would want to have pretty nails to match my new bling. Thanks Mom! The kit and polishes are a little pricey but I feel like I've saved myself so much time and money by painting my gel nails myself. Since gel polish has such a different consistency than regular polish, it took me a little time to get used to but now it's a breeze for me! I literally go 2 weeks without touching my nails and they still look close to perfect by the time I'm ready for a new color. I will tell you this, my nails look pretty trashed when I take the polish off. As with any type of polish, your nails may see a little wear and tear but my nails are still in great condition. Because the gel polish is so strong, I actually find my nails breaking less and get so much healthy regrowth. My favorite gel polish brands are SensatioNail Gel Polish, Fuse Gelnamel Gel Polish, and Sally Hansen Salon Pro Gel Nail Colors.



There are so many drugstore liners that I love but for the past two years, winged eyeliner has been my go-to look. I've tried gel, liquid and some other felt tipped liners and though some drugstore products are great, this liner takes the cake. I spend less than half the time lining my eyes with this product than I would with any liner I've purchased from the drugstore. Definitely worth the purchase (and re-purchase). 

This is such a classic must for me. For some reason, almost every drugstore shadow I've tried is either chalky, not pigmented enough, or not long-lasting. I honestly don't know what I was doing with shadows before I purchased this beauty. I actually bought the palette two days before my wedding and only practiced with it once before using it on my big day and I couldn't have been happier with how my makeup turned out. It consists of 5 matte shadows and one highlighting shadow. They are all so pigmented and blendable and the possible looks are endless. One of my favorite beauty purchases to date. 


Another drugstore product I have always struggled with is bronzer. They break me out, look muddy or do not blend into the skin. I love love love the Too Faced Soleil Matte Bronzer which smells like pure chocolate and I'm also a huge fan of BENEFIT COSMETICS Hoola Bronzer. Both work excellently with my skin tone and they've never given my sensitive skin any problems!


This last product has become a terrible addiction that I'm not sure I will ever get rid of. I love eyelashes. You guys know this. I always have and always will. I've been using this product for almost two years and don't know if I can stop. If you've never heard of LiLash, it's an eyelash serum that grows your lashes long and healthy. It takes a couple of months to see results but when you see them, you REALLY see them. Your lashes are out of control long. I had a friend who actually had to trim them because they grew too long! There are certain side effects to watch out for (eye color change, etc.) but I have had no problems. Unfortunately, since your lashes inevitably fall out this is not a permanent treatment. When my first bottle ran out I was like.. well, we'll see what happens. Within the first few weeks of not using it, my eyelashes were back to stick straight and short and I couldn't deal. I splurged and purchased my second bottle.


What are the high-end products that you could not live without!?